Wisdom From A Wheelchair: An FDR Resource Guide

Despite his numerous health issues, including being paralyzed from the waist down, Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) is considered, by a large majority, one of the greatest Presidents in American history. Believing that his health issues would make him appear weak to outsiders and worry the American public, FDR rarely allowed himself to be photographed in his wheelchair, and went to great lengths to hid his other ailments. Even in his poorest condition, President Roosevelt changed the social policies of America, and helped conceive of the single largest peace keeping organization in the world – the United Nations. The following links will provide biographical information, lesson plans, study guides and information on FDR’s legacy, as well as suggested readings.

Brief Biographies

Biography of FDR This article provides a quality biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt, including the early years of his life.

Brief Biography This website provides a brief biography of FDR, including what he was known for and where he was born.

White House Biography This short biography from the White House details the life of America’s 32nd president.

Innagural Addresses This website has a biography of FDR, as well as links to his four inaugural addresses.

Biography and Video This site provides a biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt as well as videos about and of him.

Famous President This website provides brief facts about this famous president, as well as a short biography.

Crash of 1929 This study guide focuses on the period right before and after the Great Depression.

Legacy

FDR is most commonly remembered for his implementation of the New Deal, a set of social programs intended to aid the America public during the Great Depression. His idea for a peace keeping organization gave way to the inception of the United Nations, although this did not happen until after his sudden death. He was such a strong supporter of the Boy Scouts, that he actually became the President of the New York Boy Scouts, attending several functions during his presidency. Historians and analysts consider Roosevelt one of the best and most influential presidents in American History, in league with George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

In 1921, well before his presidency, FDR contracted what was then believed to be polio, becoming paralyzed from the waist down. In later years, this diagnosis was heavily debated, with many believing he actually had Guillain Barre syndrome. Since he became paralyzed, FDR underwent countless different therapies, refusing to settle for being paralyzed, even teaching himself to walk for short distances. He is also believed to have had hypertension, anemia, and possibly melanoma. He was placed on digitalis for what some believe to be congenital heart failure.

Disability and Deception This article describes the many ailments of the 32nd president and how he hid them from the American people.

The Death of FDR This article explains when and how FDR died, including speculation into his health issues.

The Dying President This article details how those working with FDR dealt with his ailing health.

Health Issues This website provides a list of all of the known health issues that President Roosevelt faced.